Second Step is a leading mental health charity that’s been putting mental health first for people in the Southwest for over 30 years. We believe that with the right support, everyone can take control of their life and make their future their own. We work with people who experience complex needs associated with multiple and severe disadvantage (including psychological distress, homelessness, substance misuse and contact with the criminal justice system). Step Together is a trailblazing service that offers a psychological, adversity and trauma (PAT) informed approach to those rough sleeping/at risk of homelessness with multiple, complex needs (mental health, forensic history, substance use) in Somerset. We advocate for system change, creatively thinking with other agencies to develop innovative ways to overcome barriers to engagement, turning these into opportunities to steer positive trauma-informed system change. Housing First is an evidence-based approach that has been proven to successfully support people who are homeless, who have experienced multiple disadvantage and have histories of entrenched or repeat homelessness, to live in their own homes. The overall philosophy of Housing First is to provide a stable, independent home and intensive personalised support and case management to homeless people with multiple and complex needs. It is designed for people who are long-term or recurrently homeless with high needs for whom time-limited services have failed to deliver an exit from homelessness. An exciting opportunity to deliver a Housing First service pilot as part of the wider Step Together team in Somerset has arisen, and we are looking for trauma-informed individuals with experience in the housing and homelessness sector to join our team. Job title Housing First Support Worker (Fixed term contract to 31st March 2026) Hours Full time – 37 hours / week Starting Salary £27,810 Location Somerset (office bases in Taunton, Street and Yeovil) We have 2 positions available, based in the south of the county – in the former South Somerset and Taunton & West areas Working to the recovery principles, Housing First principles and Step Together’s psychological, adversity and trauma (PAT) informed model, you will engage and support a caseload of Housing First clients to access and maintain accommodation. You will flex the level of engagement you provide depending on the client’s needs and wishes, focusing on areas of support that are identified by the client. You will work in close partnership with the locality Rough Sleeper Initiative and outreach teams, housing partners and other support providers to provide a comprehensive and collaborative service to clients. You will have an understanding of issues relating to homelessness and mental health, and be able to build and sustain relationships with clients using an assertive engagement model. You will have a commitment to promoting independence and supporting vulnerable people in developing move on and recovery plans. You will have knowledge and experience in the housing and homelessness sector, including working with local authority and housing partners to support clients who are homeless to access and maintain their accommodation. We work in a recovery focused, psychological, adversity and trauma (PAT) informed way in all aspects of the team’s practice using relevant interventions, including Assessments, Support Planning (using the Outcomes Star), Risk Assessing, Brief Interventions and Solution Focused Therapy. You will receive training, and ongoing supervision and benefit from both operational and reflective supervision, case formulation and restorative peer support. In addition to this you will be joining a strong team who are passionate about the values of Second Step and who have built a service that is innovative, responsive and dynamic. If you would like to help deliver Second Step’s message of hope and courage across the Somerset region we would be pleased to hear from you. If you would like a chat about the role, please call Rooth Langston-Hart on 07855 014527 or Alex Stewart on 07860 938272. Closing date: 25th April 2025 Interview dates: Week commencing 5th May 2025. We hope to interview in person, in Somerset The ability to travel to several appointments daily (including in rural areas with limited/ unreliable public transport) is essential For more information and to apply please go to our website www.second-step.co.uk. Second Step is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community and from people who have personal experience of using mental health services. Unfortunately, Second Step is unable to sponsor applicants from outside the UK.